OSHKOSH - At the beginning of the 2019 softball season, the Oshkosh North Spartans made a list of goals on a poster board, which they hung in their dugout.

Some goals were simpler than others — have productive days in practice every day, get 1% better each day. Others required a little more work — go undefeated in conference, conference champions, regional champions, sectional champions.

“And of course, the big one, state champs,” senior Libby Neveau said.

The undefeated Spartans sit at the top of the Fox Valley Association conference with just one game to go in the regular season, against Neenah on Thursday.

They’re having a season marked by senior leadership and on-field success. Expectations were high, senior Sydney Supple said, after two years of undefeated conference records followed by postseason surprises.

In Supple and Neveau’s freshman year, the team advanced to the state tournament before losing 3-1 to Union Grove in a quarterfinal. The following year, the Spartans returned to Madison and advanced to the state championship game before losing to Kaukauna 2-0.

But the biggest shock came in 2018 when undefeated Oshkosh North fell to Fond du Lac 5-3 in a WIAA regional final.

“Definitely did not forget about that one. That hurt a lot,” Neveau said. “We definitely used that as fuel to work in the offseason and work during the season. We never want to feel that way again.”

Supple added, “but that’s still last year, and we’re just focused on this year.”

This season brought change as Ken Drischler took over for coach Cindy Suess. Supple said Drischler brings a new approach to the game.

Drischler focuses on visualization exercises with his players to see success on the field before they even step out.

“Then when we’re on the field, we can go out and do it,” Supple said.

Drischler has been supportive of the team’s goals all season and recognizes the many strengths of the powerful lineup.

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Oshkosh North's Libby Neveau celebrates with teammates during a game against Appleton East.(Photo: USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin)

“They are blessed with a great deal of talent,” Drischler said. "They know the game. They know how to play the game. They know how to hit and make adjustments, how to pitch, very softball savvy ladies.”

When asked how to best describe this year’s team, Neveau said with a laugh, “This might sound bad.”

Heading into the postseason, Supple said she and the team just want to make history. It’s the team’s mindset, and the players' close bond helps keep expectations high.

As freshmen, the senior group arrived to a North softball program that had never been conference champions. They’ve achieved that four years in a row.

The team will celebrate senior night on Thursday, something Neveau and Supple speak of with anticipation and nostalgia.

“It’s been such a blessing playing in Oshkosh,” Supple said. “Just that feeling, I never want it to end, but I’m just trying to leave my mark every time I step on the field for the last few times. I want everyone to remember who I am as a softball player and who I am as a person.”

Oshkosh North ends the regular season Thursday at home, taking on Neenah at 4:30 p.m.